November 29, 2004
WASHINGTON, D.C.--The 2004 women?s soccer team ended a successful season with the best record since 2002. With first year head coach Dave Nolan, the squad reached the BIG EAST Championship for the second time in three years, just nearly missing the semifinals. The team finished with an overall record of 9-9-1 and a 5-4-1 conference stand.
Along with the team?s success, there were individual post season accolades as well. Senior captain Nicole DePalma was named All-BIG EAST Second team and junior forward Shara McNeill earned All-BIG EAST Third team honors. During the season, DePalma and sophomore Chrissy Skogen were named to the Hoya Classic All-Classic team. In addition, DePalma was named the BIG EAST Offensive player of the Week (October 25), as well as being named the ECAC Player of the Week for October 26. Freshman defender Karen Waskewich was named to the Soccer America Team of the Week for her efforts during the week of October 26. Also, freshman goalkeeper Jade Higgins was named Rookie of the Week during the week of September 27. One Hoya was honored as CoSIDA Academic All-America as senior captain Casey McCann earned All District II Second team.
The Hoyas climbed the record books during the 2004 campaign. In career statistics, DePalma ended her career placing second in career points with 64, as well as sharing the lead in career assists with 22. McCann placed tied for fifth in career goals. McNeill follows closely behind DePalma in career assists with 14, placing tied for third. In single season records, DePalma ranked third in points with 22, as well as ranking second in goals with nine. Freshman Sara Jordan ranks tied for seventh in goals with seven, as well as fifth in assists with six. In addition, McNeill tied for second in single season assists with nine.
Georgetown got the 2004 season off to a strong start, notching a 7-1 victory over visiting cross-town opponent Howard and giving Nolan his first career victory as head coach. Jordan, Laura Boova, Karen Waskewich all tallied first career points as a Hoya. The Hoyas next traveled to Bucknell, where the Bison were shutout 4-0. Keeper Higgins recorded her first career shutout and McNeill notched the game winning goal.
The Hoyas looked to continue their winning ways into the Hoya Classic, where they hosted Dartmouth, Quinnipiac, and George Washington. Georgetown faced Dartmouth in the first game of the Classic, but two goals by Dartmouth handed the Hoyas their first loss of the season. Despite the loss, the Hoyas were ready for the second game against Quinnipiac where the Hoyas were victorious, 5-1, gaining momentum before a three game road series.
Georgetown next traveled to George Mason where the Hoyas faced William & Mary. Despite a hard fought game, the Hoyas would drop to the Colonials 3-0. Georgetown looked to rebound against George Mason two days later, but the Hoyas would again fall 3-1, despite a one goal deficit with 14 minutes remaining in the game. After the two losses and the BIG EAST regular season only two games away, the Hoyas traveled back to D.C. to face cross town opponent American hoping to gain a win. Unfortunately, the Eagles would top the Hoyas by a score of 3-1.
In the first BIG EAST regular season matchup against St. John?s, the Hoyas were fired up and came out ready to play. Ali Hawkins scored the game winning goal 37:22 into the matchup. Freshman Sarah Fetters added an insurance goal at the 44 minute mark for her first career point while Alexandra Hardy knocked one in less than two minutes into the second half. The 3-0 shutout was the second of Higgins career. As they next traveled to Providence, The Hoyas brought momentum as they topped the Friars 1-0. McNeill scored the game winner with only seven minutes left in regulation.
On a two game winning streak in BIG EAST play, the Hoyas traveled to Connecticut hoping to keep the streak alive. Despite scoring first and leading going into the second half, the Huskies scored two quick goals and kept the lead for the rest of the game. The Hoyas were defeated 3-1. Georgetown next hosted Rutgers at home, looking for a BIG EAST victory that would help secure a spot in post season play. Things didn?t go as planned for Hoyas as the Scarlet Knights scored twice to claim victory 2-0. Facing national prominence, the Hoyas hosted the #1 nationally ranked Irish of Notre Dame. Hoping for a little luck and a few goals to get back on the winning side, Georgetown scored first, but the Irish scored less than a minute later to tie the game. It looked as though the game may have been headed into overtime, but with 44 seconds remaining, the Irish snuck one in the goal to claim victory 2-1.
After losing the close game to Notre Dame, Georgetown traveled to Villanova hoping for a victory. With a header by Skogen off a cross from Cristina Araps, the Hoyas faced off in overtime against the Wildcats. With both teams having scoring opportunities, but none able to capitalize, the Hoyas would settle for a 1-1 tie.
With the tie against Villanova, the Hoyas looked to build on the great effort against Syracuse and gain a win to secure a bid to the BIG EAST championship. However, the win wasn?t to be as Syracuse scored a goal only three minutes into the game, and iced the victory with another with only four minutes remaining. Despite the loss, the Hoyas rebounded in a non-league victory over Liberty, demonstrating their drive and determination after being down 1-0 at half. DePalma led the Hoyas in the comeback over Liberty, scoring two goals and the final lifting the Hoyas over the Flames 4-1.
In their final home matchup, the Hoyas hosted the Pirates of Seton Hall. The Hoyas kept the momentum of their victory over Liberty and shutout the Pirates 2-0. Jordan scored the game winner off an assist from Laura Boova.
Knowing that the last two BIG EAST games were crucial for the post season bid, the Hoyas faced number 16 West Virginia. Waskewich came through for the Hoyas, scoring the lone goal of the game only 8:32 into the matchup off a free kick. A little luck and determination was on Georgetown?s side, as the final left the Hoyas up 1-0. Georgetown carried the win with them as they stomped on Pittsburgh 4-0, claiming a bid to the BIG EAST Championship.
The Hoyas traveled to Boston College for the first round of the BIG EAST Championship, and after a scoreless first half for both teams, BC knocked in a goal at the 72 minute mark for the win. The loss would end the season for the Hoyas.
Despite the season of momentum gains and losses, the Hoyas were able to build on the wins by the end of the season, and use wins for a successful 2005 season. The 2004 Hoyas ended with a final mark of 9-9-1 overall and a 5-4-1 in BIG EAST play and returns nine starters, after the graduation of seniors DePalma, McCann, and Elizabeth Roberti.
